Аукцион Bidspirit | Very rare Hunting cutlery set

Very rare Hunting cutlery set with case, mother-of-pearl, gilding, Italy, second half of the 16th С. - Item details Description Very rare Hunting cutlery set with case, mother-of-pearl, gilding, Italy, second half of the 16th С. Forged steel blades with remains of gilded decoration at the base, blacksmith's mark on the left side of both blades. The handles of gilt, chiselled steel with a pommel in the form of the head of a mystical animal. Mother-of-pearl plates are attached to the handles. The case is made of leather in the form of a square column in cross-section. The surface of the case is richly decorated with embossing. Inside the case there are six cutlery sections, which retain two magnificent knives (the others are missing). We can see similar knives in museums, but as a rule they are single and without cases. The same set in the same case is in the Collection of Emile Hermes in Paris. Owning fine cutlery was a sign of wealth, elegance and refinement. The knife was the main eating implement in Europe until the middle of the 17th century. The basic form of the table knife, a single-edged blade more or less pointed, with a handle, has remained virtually the same since antiquity, although the details of construction, shape and decoration have varied. Knives used for cutting and eating, were kept in portable cases as it was normal practice for everyone to carry their own cutlery. Dinner hosts, from nobles to inns, rarely provided cutlery so it remained individual and personalized. Very rare, collectible set from the Renaissance era. Exactly the same set housed in Hermes collection. Case height 31 cm. Knives length 28 and 23 cm. Condition Good condition Dimensions Height 31 cm / 12.2 in